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Van der Hoorn keen to learn from Williams after Swansea move

Swansea have completed the signing of Mike van der Hoorn from Ajax on a three-year contract.

The 23-year-old joins a day after the Swans confirmed the arrival of his compatriot Leroy Fer from QPR for an undisclosed fee.

The former Holland Under-21 international also strengthens manager Francesco Guidolin’s central defensive options following Kyle Bartley’s loan move to Leeds.

Van der Hoorn will vie for selection with Federico Fernandez, Jordi Amat and club captain Ashley Williams. He revealed that he has been impressed with the latter’s performances for Wales at Euro 2016, and that he consulted Fer prior to his transfer.

“I have to improve and be better,” he told the club’s official website. “I saw Ashley Williams at the European Championships. He’s a really good defender, maybe I can learn from him.

“I spoke to (Fer) last Saturday – we have the same birthday – about Swansea. (He said) ‘It’s a real warm club, a family club, the players will be nice’. (It was a) quick response.

“This is the best competition in the world. I’m happy to be in it and can’t wait to start. Maybe (we can win) the FA or Capital One Cup. That would be a nice achievement.

“(Swansea) play really good football for a Premier League club.”

Van der Hoorn’s transfer concludes three years at Ajax, where he won the Eredivisie title after joining from Utrecht when signed by former Ajax manager and retired defender Frank de Boer.